‘Impaired is impaired’: E-bike rider in Lambton County facing impaired driving charge

CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell reports on OPP charging and e-bike operator with impaired driving.

For some, it’s a convenient and less expensive alternative to driving a car, but those who choose an electric bicycle to get around are subject to the same laws regarding impaired driving as any other driver on the roads.

“No amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe to operate your conveyance with. Impaired is impaired,” said Lambton County OPP Const. Tyler Campbell.

Lambton OPP says on the afternoon of April 10, officers were on patrols in Plymptom-Wyoming when they conducted a traffic stop in a parking lot on Oil Heritage Road. A 52-year-old Sarnia man was charged with impaired operation of an e-bike.

“If it is propelled by any force other than muscular force, you can be charged with impaired driving offence. And that offence doesn’t necessarily have to occur on a highway. It can occur on private parking lots as well,” said Const. Campbell.

The alleged impaired e-bike operator had his license suspended for 90 days, and his vehicle impounded for seven days.

“It doesn’t necessarily shock me,” said London-based bicycle mechanic Aaron Greenhow.

An avid cyclist himself, he says sometimes it’s drivers who have already lost their license who are found to be riding e-bikes.

“You know, bicycles or e-bikes, or e-scooters, for that matter, can be a bit of a way for people that have had past charges for drinking or something like that to kind of still get around,” he explained.

While an e-bike rider can be charged under the province’s Highway Traffic Act, unlike a car or truck, the vehicle doesn’t need registration or a license plate, and a driver does not need insurance.

Cycling advocate, and owner of London’s The Bicycle Café, Andrew McClenaghan, says when laws are violated, he supports enforcement. But he admits to having reservations.

“Where I kind of see the discrepancy start though is, who’s really bearing the risk. So, as a cyclist, if I break a rule, I’m really putting myself at risk. As a driver, I decide to rip through Wortley Village, maybe I’m intoxicated, maybe I’m distracted- I’m essentially putting everyone outside my vehicle at risk. So, it’s an interesting choice,” said McClenaghan.

In the meantime, the alleged impaired e-bike operator has been released from custody, and is scheduled to appear in court in Sarnia on May 28.